The
Gold Medal Models Modern USS New Jersey Fret in 1:700
By Bradford Chaucer

Loren Perry was kind enough to provide a set of his new 1/700 PE set for the Skywave/Pitroad
modern USS New Jersey These are my
impressions of the set.

I have to start out by saying that 1/700 is not my preferred scale. Anyone
who has seen the size of my fingers will instantly understand why!! However,
that said, I have to admit that I am impressed at the amount of stuff Loren has
managed to pack into this 4 7/8 inch by 3 1/4 sheet of 3 mil stainless steel (at
least I presume it is stainless). The quality of the etching is simply superb.
The finest lines are clean and sharp with no sign of under etch or fuzziness. In
addition, all of the parts are identified, to eliminate the need for guesswork.
Several of the parts even feature surface detail, which I wouldn't have expected
in this scale. There are also separate parts for 1968 and 1982 refits where
appropriate

The set provides a full suite of rails, including upswept sections for the bow.
All of the rail sections are identified; the bow sections by name, the remainder
by level number. There are also a block of vertical ladders and a second group
of inclined ladders with handrails. There are 2 sets of beautifully etched
helicopter safety nets; a shorter set for 1968 fit and a longer set for the '82
fit. While on the helicopters, there are 2 sets of SH-60 rotors, an extended set
and a folded set.

It seems that every radar antenna imaginable has been provided, including some
specific to each time period. You get ULQ-6 ECM (1968) platforms, SPS-49,
SPS-10, SPS-6 (1968), MK 37 Gun Director radars and the 1968 main mast dual
trapezoidal antenna. You also get the bow NTDS Antenna bridge and spreaders, and
MK 13 radar director parts.

I addition there are rails for various mast platforms, bridge window frames, the
stern crane with rigging (1968) details for the ships boats, Anchors and anchor
chains, and a set of parts to do an UNREP crane and hose for the 1982 version.
There are other parts, like Phalanx locker doors, a hose reel assembly for the
helicopter refueling station and some other parts.

The instructions art typical for GMM sets, 2 pages of views showing how
each assembly is built, indicating which kit parts are used. Where there are
differences between the New Jersey and
Iowa, those differences are detailed
in the instructions. The set is primarily directed toward modeling the 1982
onwards fit out, however some major parts and some instructions are provided for
those wanting to attempt a backdate to the Vietnam era fit. However as Loren
indicates, this is not a trivial modification, as there were appreciable changes
to the superstructure, post Vietnam.

All in all, this is an impressive set, which should make that 1/70 scale NJ
really come alive. It's GMM's 700-30 and at $12 it is quite a
value.